Clausiliidae, also known by the common name door snails, is a taxonomic family of small, very elongate, mostly left-handed, air-breathing land snails, sinistral terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusks.MolluscaBase eds. (2023). MolluscaBase. Clausiliidae L. Pfeiffer & J. E. Gray, 1855. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.molluscabase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=833936 on 2023-04-11
With over 1700 recognized recent and fossil species, this is among the most diverse families of terrestrial gastropods (cf. Orthalicidae), although the marine gastropod family Pyramidellidae is larger.
Most species of Clausiliidae have an anatomical structure known as a clausilium, which enables the snail to close off the aperture of the shell with a sliding "door".
Shell description
Almost all the species of snails in the family of door snails are sinistral (left-handed), which is an uncommon feature in gastropod shells in general.
These snails have shells which are extremely high-spired, with numerous whorls.
The shells tend to be club-shaped, tapering at both ends to a rounded nub. The aperture usually has visible folds.
The clausilium
Clausiliids are also very unusual among pulmonate gastropods in that most of them have a "door" or clausilium. The clausilium is not the same thing as an operculum, which does not exist at all in most pulmonate gastropods.
The clausilium is a calcareous structure, tongue-shaped or spoon-shaped, which can close the aperture of the snail shell to protect the soft parts against predation by animals such as carnivorous beetle larvae. The narrow end of the clausilium slides in the grooves that are formed by the folds on the inside of the shell.
Anatomy In this family, the number of haploid chromosomes lies between 21 and 30 (according to the values in this table).Barker G. M.: Gastropods on Land: Phylogeny, Diversity and Adaptive Morphology. in Barker G. M. (ed.): The biology of terrestrial molluscs. CABI Publishing, Oxon, UK, 2001, . 1-146, cited pages: 139 and 142.
Taxonomy The type genus is Clausilia Draparnaud, 1805.
The family Clausiliidae is classified within the informal group Sigmurethra, itself belonging to the clade Stylommatophora within the clade Eupulmonata (according to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005).
2005 taxonomy The taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005 recognizes subfamilies as follows:
subfamily Clausiliinae Gray, 1855 tribe Baleini (previously the subfamily Baleinae A. J. Wagner, 1913) – synonyms: Laciniariini H. Nordsieck, 1963; Tristaniinae Schileyko, 1999 tribe Clausiliini Gray, 1855 – synonym: Fusulinae Lindholm, 1924 tribe Gracillariini H. Nordsieck, 1979
subfamily Alopiinae A. J. Wagner, 1913 tribe Alopiini A. J. Wagner, 1913 tribe Cochlodinini Lindholm, 1925 (1923) – synonym: Marpessinae Wenz, 1923 tribe Delimini Brandt, 1956 – synonym: Papilliferini Brandt, 1961 (n.a.) tribe Medorini H. Nordsieck, 1997 tribe Montenegrinini H. Nordsieck, 1972
subfamily † Constrictinae H. Nordsieck, 1981Nordsieck H. (1981). Archiv für Molluskenkunde 111(1-3): 101.
subfamily Garnieriinae C. Boettger, 1926 tribe Garnieriini C. Boettger, 1926 tribe Tropidaucheniini H. Nordsieck, 2002
subfamily † Eualopiinae H. Nordsieck, 1978 tribe † Eualopiini H. Nordsieck, 1978Nordsieck H. (1978). Archiv für Molluskenkunde 109(1-3): 104. tribe † Rillyini H. Nordsieck, 1985Nordsieck H. (1985). Heldia 1(3): 83.
subfamily Laminiferinae Wenz, 1923
subfamily Mentissoideinae Lindholm, 1924 tribe Mentissoideini Lindholm, 1924 – synonym: Euxininae I. M. Likharev, 1962 tribe Acrotomini H. Nordsieck, 1979 tribe Boettgeriini H. Nordsieck, 1979 tribe Euxinellini Neubert, 2002 tribe Filosini H. Nordsieck, 1979 tribe Olympicolini Neubert, 2002 tribe Strigileuxinini H. Nordsieck, 1994 tribe Strumosini H. Nordsieck, 1994
subfamily Neniinae Wenz, 1923 – Neniastrinae H. B. Baker, 1930
subfamily Phaedusinae A. J. Wagner, 1922 † tribe Disjunctariini H. Nordsieck, 2014 tribe Megalophaedusini Zilch, 1954 – synonym: Zaptyxini Zilch, 1954 † tribe Nordsieckiini H. Nordsieck, 2007 tribe Phaedusini A. J. Wagner, 1922 † tribe Serrulellini H. Nordsieck, 2007 tribe Serrulinini Ehrmann, 1927 tribe Synprosphymini H. Nordsieck, 2007
subfamily Serrulininae Ehrmann, 1927
Genera Genera include:
Clausiliinae Tribe Acrotomini H. Nordsieck, 1979 Acrotoma O. Boettger, 1881 – with four subgenera: Acrotoma, Acrotomina H. Nordsieck, 1977; Bzybia H. Nordsieck, 1977 and Castelliana Suvorov, 2002 Akramowskia H. Nordsieck, 1975 Armenica O. Boettger, 1877 – with two subgenera: Armenica and Astrogena Szekeres, 1970 Inobseratella Lindholm, 1924 Phrygica H. Nordsieck, 1994 Roseniella Thiele, 1931 – with two subgenera: Chavchetia Neubert, 1992 and Roseniella Scrobifera O. Boettger, 1877 Sprattia O. Boettger, 1883
tribe Baleini Alinda H. & A. Adams, 1855 – with two subgenera: Alinda and Pseudalinda O. Boettger, 1877 Balea J. E. Gray, 1824 Bulgarica O. Boettger, 1877 – with three subgenera Bulgarica, Pavlovicia H. Nordsieck, 1973 and Strigilecula Kennard & Woodward, 1923 Lacinaria Hartmann, 1842 Likharevia H. Nordsieck, 1975 Mentissa H. & A.Adams, 1855 Mentissella H. Nordsieck, 1973 Micropontica O. Boettger, 1881 – with two subgenera: Baleopsina Lindholm, 1924 and Micropontica Mucronaria O. Boettger, 1877 – with two subgenera: Index O. Boettger, 1877 and Mucronaria Quadriplicata O. Boettger, 1878 Strigillaria Vest, 1867 Vestia Hesse, 1916 – with three subgenera: Brabenecia H. Nordsieck, 1974; Vestia and Vestiella H. Nordsieck, 1877
Tribe Boettgeriini H. Nordsieck, 1979 Boettgeria O. Boettger, 1863 – with two subgenera: Boettgeriaand Loosjesiella Neubert & Groh, 1998 Macroptychia O. Boettger, 1877 Sabaeola Lindholm, 1925
tribe Clausiliini † Canalicia O. Boettger, 1863 Clausilia Draparnaud, 1805 – with two subgenera: Clausilia and Strobeliella H. Nordsieck, 1977"Clausiliini". Fauna Europaea, last update 27 January 2011, accessed 27 April 2011. Erjavecia Brusina, 1870 Erjaveciella H. Nordsieck, 1977 Fusulus Fitzinger, 1833 – with two subgenera: Erjaveciella H. Nordsieck, 1877 and Fusulus † Hollabrunnella H. Nordsieck, 2007 Julica H. Nordsieck, 1963 Macrogastra Hartmann, 1841 – with three subgenera: Macrogastra, Pseudovestia H. Nordsieck, 1877 and Pyrostoma Vest, 1867 Micridyla H. Nordsieck, 1973 † Parafusulus H. Nordsieck, 2007 † Pliodiptychia H. Nordsieck, 1978 Pseudidyla O. Boettger, 1877 Pseudofusulus H. Nordsieck, 1977 – has the only one species: Pseudofusulus varians Ruthenica Lindholm, 1924 † Trolliella H. Nordsieck, 1981
Tribe † Emarginariini H. Nordsieck, 2007 † Emarginaria O. Boettger, 1877
Tribe Euxinellini Neubert, 2002 Euxinella H. Nordsieck, 1973
Tribe Filosini H. Nordsieck, 1979 Filosa O. Boettger, 1877 Idyla H. & A. Adams, 1855 – with two subgenera: Idyla and Strigilidyla H. Nordsieck, 1994
tribe Gracillariini H. Nordsieck, 1979 Graciliaria Bielz, 1867"Graciliaria". Fauna Europaea, last update 27 January 2011, accessed 27 April 2011. † Truciella H. Nordsieck, 1978
Tribe Mentissoideini Lindholm, 1924 Elia H. & A.Adams, 1855 – with four subgenera: Acroeuxina O. Boettger, 1877; Caucasica O. Boettger, 1877; Elia and Megaleuxina O. Boettger, 1877 Euxina O. Boettger, 1877 – with two subgenera: Euxina and Illunellaria Lindholm, 1924 Euxinastra O. Boettger, 1888 – with two subgenera: Euxinastra and Odonteuxina H. Nordsieck, 1875 Galeata O. Boettger, 1877 Mentissoidea O. Boettger, 1877
Tribe Olympicolini Neubert, 2002 Olympicola Hesse, 1916 † Scrobiferoides Neubert, 1996
Tribe Strigileuxinini H. Nordsieck, 1994 Bitorquata O. Boettger, 1877 Blaeneuxina Páll-Gergely & Szekeres, 2020 Strigileuxina H. Nordsieck, 1975 Sumelia H. Nordsieck, 1994
Tribe Strumosini H. Nordsieck, 1994 Strumosa O. Boettger, 1877
Alopiinae A. J. Wagner, 1913 AlopiinaeUit de Weerd D. R. (2004). "Molecular phylogenetic history of eastern Mediterranean Alopiinae, a group of morphologically indeterminate land snails". Doctoral thesis, Leiden University, . † Dextrospira Hrubesch, 1965
tribe Alopiini Alopia H. & A.Adams, 1855 – with two subgenera Alopia and Kimakowiczia Szekeres, 1969 Herilla H. & A. Adams, 1855 Montenegrina O. Boettger, 1877 Protoherilla A. J. Wagner, 1921 † Protriloba H. Nordsieck, 2014 Triloba Vest, 1867
tribe Cochlodinini Lindholm, 1925 (1923) Cochlodina A. Férussac, 1821 – with four subgenera: Cochlodina; Cochlodinastra H. Nordsieck, 1977; Paracochlodina H. Nordsieck, 1969; Procochlodina H. Nordsieck, 1969 Macedonica O. Boettger, 1877
tribe Delimini R. Brandt, 1956 Barcania Brandt, 1956 Charpentieria Stabille, 1864 – with subgenera: Charpentieria Delima Hartmann, 1842 – with four subgenera: Delima; Dugiana Stamol & Slapnik, 2002; Piceata O. Boettger, 1877 and Semirugata O. Boettger, 1877 Dilataria Vest, 1867 Gibbularia Cecconi, 1908 Mauritanica O. Boettger, 1879 Papillifera Hartmann, 1842 Sicania Tomlin, 1929 Stigmatica O. Boettger, 1877
tribe Medorini H. Nordsieck, 1997 Agathylla H. & A.Adams, 1855 – with two subgenera Agathylla and Agathyllina H. Nordsieck, 1969 Albinaria Vest, 1867 – also includes former genusSericata O. Boettger, 1878. Carinigera Möllendorff, 1873 Cristataria Vest, 1867 Inchoatia Gittenberger & Uit de Weerd, 2006Gittenberger E. & Uit de Weerd D. R. (2009). "Summarizing data on the Inchoatia taxa, including Inchoatia megdova bruggeni subspec. nov. (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Clausiliidae)" Zoologische Mededelingen 83 http://www.zoologischemededelingen.nl/83/nr03/a08 Isabellaria Vest, 1867 Lampedusa O. Boettger, 1877 – with two subgenera Imitatrix Westerlund, 1884 and Lampedusa Leucostigma A. J. Wagner, 1919 Medora H. & A. Adams, 1855 Muticaria Lindholm, 1925 Strigilodelima A. J. Wagner, 1924 Vallatia E. Gittenberger & Uit de Weerd, 2006
Constrictinae Fossil subfamily Constrictinae contains genera: † Constricta O. Boettger, 1877 – type genus of the subfamily † Regiclausilia H. Nordsieck, 1981
Eualopiinae Fossil subfamily Eualopiinae contains genera: † Ambiguella H. Nordsieck, 2007 Formosana O. Boettger, 1877
Tribe † Eualopiini H. Nordsieck, 1978 † Eualopia O. Boettger, 1877 – type genus of the subfamily † Monoptychia H. Nordsieck, 1972
Tribe † Rillyini † H. Nordsieck, 1985 † Neniopsilla H. Nordsieck, 2020 † Neniopsis Wenz, 1920 † Omanillya H. Nordsieck in Harzhauser et al., 2016 † Pararillya H. Nordsieck, 2002 † Proalbinaria O. Boettger in Oppenheim, 189 † Rillya Munier-Chalmas [in P. Fischer], 1883 – type genus of the tribe † Neniopsilla H. Nordsieck, 2020 † Neniopsis Wenz, 1920 † Omanillya H. Nordsieck in Harzhauser et al., 2016 † Pararillya H. Nordsieck, 2002 † Proalbinaria O. Boettger in Oppenheim, 1895
Garnieriinae tribe Garnieriini C. Boettger, 1926 Garnieria Bourguignat, 1877 tribe Tropidaucheniini H. Nordsieck, 2002 Euryauchenia H. Nordsieck, 2007 Grandinenia Minato & Chen, 1984 Indonenia Ehrmann, 1927 Megalauchenia H. Nordsieck, 2007 Tropidauchenia Lindholm, 1924 -
Laminiferinae Bofilliella Ehrmann, 1927 Neniatlanta Bouguignat, 1876 Margaritiphaedusa H. Nordsieck, 2001 Minatoia Hunyadi & Szekeres, 2016
Tribe Laminiferini Wenz, 1923 † Baboria Cossmann, 1898 † Laminifera O. Boettger, 1863 – the type genus of the family Laminiferinae. Its type species is fossil. † Laminiplica H. Nordsieck, 1978 † Omanifera H. Nordsieck in Harzhauser et al., 2016
Tribe † Oospiroidesini H. Nordsieck, 2007 † Oospiroides Wenz, 1920
Tribe † Polloneriini H. Nordsieck, 2007 † Polloneria Sacco, 1886
Mentissoideinae synonym of the tribe Mentissoideini Lindholm, 1924 (superseded classification)
Neniinae Wenz, 1923 Tribe Neniini Wenz, 1923 Gonionenia Pilsbry, 1926 Nenia H. & A. Adams, 1855 Neniops Pilsbry, 1926 Paranenia Rehder, 1939
Peruiniinae H. Nordsieck, 2005 Andinia Polinski, 1922 Audiniastra H. Nordsieck, 2005